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Print | YORK REGION>Services>Garbage and Recycling |
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Grasscycling |
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What is Grasscycling?
Grasscycling is the recycling of grass by leaving clippings on the lawn while mowing. Grass clippings break down in a few days and return nutrients to the soil.
Why Grasscycle?
Lawn Enrichment: Grasscycling supplies lawns with nutrients to support healthy growth. Grass clippings contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Studies have shown that grasscycling can reduce fertilizer requirements by as much as 30%.
Save Time and Energy: There is no need to rake and bag your grass.
Water Conservation: Grass clippings retain moisture which means that less watering is required.
Banned from Landfill: If grass is found in regular garbage sent to landfills, the entire load of garbage can be rejected at a significant cost to Regional tax payers.
Grasscycling Tips
- Take care not to cut more than one third of the grass blade at a time.
- Keep your mower blade sharp.
- Set your mower blade to 6 cm (2.5 inches) high.
- Cut once or twice a week before the grass is too long.
- Water deeply only once a week to prevent excessive growth.
- Mow grass when dry to prevent clumping.
- If your lawnmower bags grass clippings, remove the bag to spread clippings evenly over the lawn.
- You may be able to convert your mower to a mulching mower by purchasing a mulching blade retrofit kit which is available at hardware stores and garden centres. Mulching blades chop up grass many times, producing very short clippings.
- If you use a lawn service, ask them to grasscycle.
Alternatives to Grasscycling
- Compost your grass clippings. Mix the clippings well with leaves or shredded paper to keep the grass well aerated and free from odours.
- Spread grass clippings on your garden as mulch in thin layers (2.5 cm or 1 inch).
- Take your grass clippings to one of York Region's yard waste drop off depots.
Grasscycling Myths
MTYH - Grasscycling Causes Thatch
Thatch is an accumulation of dead roots and stems most often caused by over-watering or over-fertilizing. Grass clippings decompose quickly and do not cause thatch.
MYTH - Grasscycling Spreads Lawn Disease
Watering, fertilization and mower blade sharpness have much more influence on the occurrence of lawn disease than grasscycling.
Watering, fertilization and mower blade sharpness have much more influence on the occurrence of lawn disease than grasscycling.
MYTH - Clippings will be Unsightly
Cut properly, clippings are virtually unnoticeable. Almost all grasscyclers find their clippings disappear within 3 days after cutting. Slightly longer breakdown times will occur later in the growing season as temperatures and the moisture content of clippings decline.
Cut properly, clippings are virtually unnoticeable. Almost all grasscyclers find their clippings disappear within 3 days after cutting. Slightly longer breakdown times will occur later in the growing season as temperatures and the moisture content of clippings decline.
Contact Us
For more information, please e-mail us at: EnvironmentalServices@york.ca or call the Region at 905-895-1207 for waste management information.
